OOV-CUBE, a nanosatellite developed by Korea Aerospace University (KAU) Professor Zizung Yoon (Dept. of Smart Drone Engineering) succeeded its first transmission after six days of launch via Ariane 6, a rocket of the European Space Agency (ESA).

On July 9 at 4 PM (local time; July 10 at 4 AM KST), OOV-CUBE was launched into space at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, loaded onto the Ariane 6, Europe’s next-generation launch vehicle. Ariane 6, a new rocket that the ESA showcased as an ambitious project after 28 years, included NASA’s nanosatellite and nine other satellites as well as OOV-Cube.

The satellites successfully separated themselves from the top of the projectile one hour and six minutes after launch and entered the target orbit. However, the research team had to anxiously wait as they took a few more days to return their transmissions to Earth. The reason was that batteries inside the satellites became discharged due to the delay in the launch of Ariane 6, which prevented them from operating immediately after stabilizing their orbit, taking several more days to recharge in orbit using their solar cells. OOV-Cube, a cube-shaped satellite, required even more time to recharge as it had a relatively smaller solar panel area. Despite the difficulties, the satellite finally returned its first transmission with the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) ground station on July 15 at 6 PM (local time; July 16 at 1 AM KST), delivering the news of its successful operation.

Professor Yoon and the research team plan to run a detailed checkup on the satellite’s status for a week or two and carry out its mission of examining advanced technologies in space. This includes demonstrating a highly efficient communication protocol where the ground IoT device communicates directly with the satellite and a data processing assessment through the AI neural network e x e cuted within the satellite’s onboard computer. The accomplishment of OOV-Cube’s mission is expected to solidify Korea’s position in the European space market by verifying the nanosatellite platform technology that harnesses high reliability at a low cost and expand the opportunities to carry out additional technology examination missions in the future. Also, the team has prospects of demonstrating the core technology required for IoT services, the elements that will play a crucial role in the 6G telecommunications market, which will bring the convergence of ground and satellite communications, as well as enabling environment monitoring by connecting countless mobile IoT devices and the satellite constellation by demonstrating ultra-low-power IoT communication technology.

The satellite control centers at KAU and TU Berlin will be responsible for the satellite’s operations. As a head researcher at TU Berlin, Professor Yoon developed and designed “TUBiX10,” the satellite platform utilized by OOV-CUBE. From 2018 to 2020, five satellites were created using the TUBiX10 platform to successfully operate in a low-orbit environment.

OOV-CUBE took the honor of winning the contest in 2022 hosted by the ESA before the first flight of its new projectile Ariane 6, and thus earned the opportunity to verify its advanced technology in space without any launching costs. Professor Yoon stated, “There were risks, as succeeding in the first launch of a satellite is far from easy. However, I put myself to the challenge because I was confident I could develop and produce the satellite faster and more efficiently. I am grateful to the ESA for allowing me to launch the satellite and the Korea Aerospace University for establishing the satellite’s ground station within the school area as a part of the Convergence and Open Sharing System’s next-generation communication program. I will focus on the international cooperation in aerospace areas between KAU and European parties.”

Based on OOV-Cube’s achievement, Professor Yoon plans to push forward in his development of the IoT technology-loaded constellation satellite.